Get Me To The Church On Time... "Naked"

Naked (2017)

TV-14

Starring Marlon Wayans, Regina Hall, Dennis Haysbert,

Directed by Michael Tiddes

The Story:

Rob (Wayans) is set to marry Megan (Hall). One small problem, on the day of his wedding, he wakes up naked in an elevator with no clue how he got there. He's got to race time to get to the altar in time to get married. Too bad he's not going to make it.  The good news, he's going to wake up again in the elevator and have another shot at it, until he gets it right.

So if you've seen Groundhog Day before, you pretty much know what to expect from this movie.

If you've never seen Groundhog Day, well shame on you, you should definitely go watch it.

I happen to be a big fan of Groundhog Day, and the line of movies that have followed in those same footsteps to bring you the same story, over and over again, of someone trying to figure out what they need to do in the cosmic scheme of things to unlock their day from replaying for the rest of eternity.

Naked follows the formula just fine, the initial trial is just getting Rob back into clothes so he can try and get across town and get married.

Each time he gets ever closer to his bride but repeatedly comes up short.

Along the way he's going to learn some things about himself and his new family that will help to shape and change him into being a better person.

Wayans does a fine job carrying the movie on his shoulders. His character isn't flawed as much as he's immature at the beginning and has to do some growing up to discover what it is he truly wants out of life.

Pretty fun from start to finish, and another enjoyable Netflix Original.

Final Grade: C+

Luke Cage Is Looking For Work... "Barbershop: The Next Cut"

Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Regina Hall, Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve, Anthony Anderson, J.B. Smoove, Common, Nicki Minaj,

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee

The Story:

Calvin (Cube) and the rest of the regulars are back, but things have gotten darker in neighborhood since we last visited the shop. The place is now co-ed, with the ladies taking half the space, and at least half the conversation. And the neighborhood is getting more dangerous, and Calvin's thinking that a move might be what's best for his business, and his family.

Well, couple this with My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 as  two sequels I was not expecting in 2016. Considering the originals came out clear back in 2002, it's rare to get one sequel that far removed, let alone two different movies from that same year.

But, much like that one, this was also a nice trip down memory lane with most of the cast returning and you ease right into the storylines because you're already familiar with who they are and what they will be doing or saying.

Lee steps in to helm the franchise, and does right by everyone involved. It's funny, but has heart. There's a message, but it's not going to be bashed over your head. It doesn't approach the manic fun of his best film, Undercover Brother, but again, it's a worthy addition to the franchise and not just a cheap cash grab on name recognition.

The chemistry amongst the cast is still excellent, and the new cast members integrate seamlessly into the storyline. Pretty much everyone who has been in the series is back, either for a really brief moment or to propel the storyline to the finish.

As usual, Cedric the Entertainer gets most of the great lines, but not all of them.

If you've ever enjoyed any of the previous installments, you'll enjoy this return trip to the shop.

Final Grade: B-

Nothing Ever Truly Stays In Vegas... "Think Like A Man Too"

Think Like A Man Too (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Megan Good, Regina Hall, Gabrielle Union, Terrence Jenkins, Romany Malco

Directed by Tim Story

The Story:

All of the couples from Think Like A Man return as they prepare for the marriage of Michael and Candace (Jenkins & Hall) in Vegas. Cedric (Hart) has the whole thing under control as Best Man and wants to make sure everyone has the night of their lives.

Naturally, everything is about to go off course in a most spectacular fashion!

A great cast attempts to lift the usual shenanigans for a bachelor party in Vegas to lofty heights.

It doesn't work, but at least they try. ;)

There's nothing bad about the film.

Each of the couples' issues will be mostly resolved by the end of the film.

And yes, they even manages to make it to the altar before it's all over.

So the bottom line, if you enjoyed the first film, you won't mind spending about 90 minutes with some old friends.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Amusing but no need to revisit anytime soon.

We Need To Talk "About Last Night"

About Last Night (2014)

Rated R for language and situations

Starring Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Michael Ealy, Joy Bryant

Directed by Steve Pink

The Story:

Bernie (Hart) and Joan (Hall) hit it off on a date, so naturally they hoped to hook up their best friends Danny (Ealy) and Debbie (Bryant) and maybe those two would hit it off and be happy.  And they do, and they are for some time.  However into every life some reality will come, and when the going gets tough, will these couples fight to keep a relationship, or simply go their separate ways?

A romantic comedy/dramedy remake of a 1986 film starring Rob Lowe and Demi Moore that I never bothered to get around to watching.

Given what I've seen of this film, there's no big loss, though they do offer a nice meta-moment by having the characters in this film watch that film during the movie.

Clever.

This movie is watchable, but not very memorable.

The best part of the movie is probably the unleashing of Hart and Hall to literally go at it (figuratively and literally) in the movie.  So over-the-top, you can't help but laugh at their conversations.

However, they are supposed to be second-fiddle to the main love story, so when the main story is kind of boring...

That doesn't exactly set this up for a memorable picture.

So yes, it's watchable, but on the list of recent Kevin Hart pictures or romantic comedy/dramedy, this one comes in a dead last place.

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was enough.  Hopefully this doesn't get remade again in 30 years.

Holiday Weekend Film Review... "The Best Man Holiday"

The Best Man Holiday (2013)
Rated R for language

Starring Monica Calhoun, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Nia Long

Directed by Malcolm D. Lee

The Story:

13 years have passed since The Best Man, and this movie picks up by bringing all of the gang back together for a holiday get together.  New secrets will be revealed and will time finally heal the old wounds in time for these friends to put their relationships back on track before tragedy strikes the group?

As the movie began, they used bits from the original film to remind us who the characters are, and what happened when last we saw them.

I'm now not sure if I ever got around to seeing that film.

However, they do a really good job of playing catch-up, so I don't really feel like I missed anything from that film.

It's both unheard of, and impressive that Lee was able to reassemble the cast for another go-round after a decade and some change has passed between films.

That's a testament both to him as a filmmaker and the cast for wanting to come back to these characters.

Be advised, for all the fun that the trailer promised, there is some heartbreak coming your way in the third act.

Final Grade: B-/C+ range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was good for this one.